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What Role Does Religion Play In Dante's Inferno

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In the First Circle of Hell dwells virtuous Non-Christians; Dante’s guide, Virgil, resides here because he is a pagan poet. This lead me to assume that in the context of Inferno, the Christian faith is the only ‘true’ religion. As Dante and Virgil entered deeper into Hell and encountered Greek and Roman mythological characters such as Charon, Medusa, Cerberus, the Furies, the Minotaur, and Chiron, I was surprised. These creatures are not just mentioned; they are beings, and they have roles in Hell. Is there any significance behind Dante choosing to incorporate pagan mythologies into Christian Hell? Dante was inspired by the works of poets such as Homer and Virgil who are notoriously pagan. Their influence and faith may have led Dante

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